LEINSTER CLUB SFC PRELIMINARY ROUND Garrycastle 0-13 Longford Slashers 1-9:A MAN-OF-the-match display from their veteran centre-half forward, Dessie Dolan, was the key to the 2009 provincial finalists Garrycastle qualifying for this year's quarter-final, after a closely-fought contest with Longford Slashers at Cusack Park, Mullingar yesterday.

The sides were tied at 0-4 apiece at the end of a lacklustre opening 25 minutes when Colin Smith pounced upon a rebound to put Longford ahead.

However, the winners responded in fine style and three quickfire points from play from Dessie Dolan, Seanie O’Donoghue and Paul Dillon levelled the contest again, before a Dolan free edged Garrycastle ahead by 0-8 to 1-4 at the break.

GARRYCASTLE: C Mullin; J Dolan, J Gaffey, A Fox; M McCallon (0-1), K Henson, D Harte; S O'Donoghue (0-1), A Browne; D O'Shaughnessy, D Dolan (0-8, 0-4 frees), R McGowan (0-1); A Daly, P Dillon (0-1), P Mulvihill. Subs: J McAteer for Daly (28 mins), S Mulvihill (0-1)for O'Donoghue (inj, ht), E Mulvihill for Fox (42), J Duignan for Dillon (47), D Hermbusche for McGowan (60).

LONGFORD SLASHERS: G Hourican; G Ghee, B Gilleran, D Glennon; P Brady, D Brady, P Kelly (0-1); N Mulligan, D Sheridan (0-1), T Glendenning, C Smith (1-2, 0-2 frees), A Murphy, M Smith (0-5, 0-3 frees), S Philips, S Flynn. Sub: M Tarmey for Murphy (42 mins).

Referee: M Deegan(Laois).